Murder suspect killed after SWAT stakeout

A suspect wanted for separate murders in Fremont and Saratoga was fatally shot by authorities after a SWAT stakeout in Cupertino Sunday, a Santa Clara County sheriff's sergeant said.

A Santa Clara County SWAT team joined with Fremont police in an operation to apprehend a suspect wanted for the murder of a 49-year-old man in Fremont Monday, as well as the fatal beating of a 96-year-old man in Saratoga in December, sheriff's Sgt. Rick Sung said.

Fremont police detectives determined that the suspect was at an apartment in the 10000 block of Miller Avenue in Cupertino, and at 10 a.m., authorities set up a stakeout in the area, Sung said.

At about 2 p.m., the suspect came out of the apartment complex and was confronted by authorities who identified themselves as law enforcement officials. The suspect, who was armed with a pistol, took off running and was shot a short time later, Sung said.

The suspect died at the scene, he said.

Authorities are not yet releasing the name of the suspect, but he is believed to have been involved in two separate murders in the past several months.

On Dec. 3, Charlie Maridon, a 96-year-old man was beaten during a home invasion robbery at a home in the 20000 block of Wardell Road in Saratoga. Maridon died on Dec. 18 as a result of his injuries, Sung said.

The suspect is also believed to be involved in the murder of 49-year-old Larry Lopez, who was found dead in his home in the 100 block of Sycamore Street in Fremont Monday, according to Fremont police Detective Bill Veteran.

A second suspect involved in the Saratoga case is still being sought, according to Sung.